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Healthy Cravings Real Chicken Recipe Topper
Instinct

Healthy Cravings Real Chicken Recipe Topper

Verified Jun 20, 2026

Cat · Topper All Breed Sizes

This is a chicken-based wet topper for cats, providing extra flavor, moisture, and a bit of added protein over their regular diet. It features chicken and chicken liver in a gravy, with eggs contributing additional high-quality protein and peas used in small amounts. It’s designed to be mixed with a complete and balanced cat food rather than fed on its own.

Over-the-counter No recalls
Official product page
KibbleLab Score
7.6 out of 10

Nutritionally, this is a nice, simple topper that adds extra animal protein and moisture to your cat’s regular meals. Chicken, chicken liver, and eggs are all high-quality protein sources, and the analysis is in line with what I expect from a gravy-style topper. It’s best suited for cats who already eat a complete and balanced diet but could benefit from more palatability or moisture in their food.

The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.

Ingredient composition Quality, beneficial additions, absence of artificial colors/flavors
Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber evaluated for stated life stage and food type
AAFCO compliance Complete and balanced certification; feeding trials valued higher
Health considerations Sensitivity profile, DCM risk, processing method
9.0 – 10 Top Pick
8.0 – 8.9 Strong Choice
7.0 – 7.9 Solid Option
6.0 – 6.9 Worth a Conversation
Below 6 Not Recommended

KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.


At a Glance

Health Benefits
Hydration Support
Suitable For
All Breed Sizes
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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Uses named animal proteins (chicken, chicken liver, eggs) as the main ingredients, which provide high-quality, highly digestible protein.
  • High moisture content can help support your cat’s daily water intake when mixed into meals.
  • Relatively short ingredient list with no artificial colors or preservatives listed, which many owners appreciate.
  • Grain-free formula may be helpful for cats that don’t tolerate certain grains, while still keeping peas to a small, supporting role rather than a main ingredient.

Considerations

  • Labeled for intermittent or supplemental feeding only, so it should not replace your cat’s main complete and balanced diet.
  • Contains chicken and eggs, which are common allergens for some cats, so it’s not ideal if your cat has known sensitivities to these proteins.
  • As a topper, the protein and fat levels are lower than a typical stand-alone wet food, so it’s meant to enhance nutrition and palatability rather than meet all needs on its own.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Chicken Broth, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Eggs, Ground Dried Peas, Natural Flavor, Sodium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Salt, Sodium Carbonate, DL-Methionine.

Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.

Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.

Top 5 Ingredients Explained

01
Chicken Broth
Chicken broth is commonly used in pet foods and toppers as a flavorful liquid base or gravy to improve palatability and add moisture, providing modest amounts of soluble protein, electrolytes and minerals. It can help encourage eating and increase hydration, but owners should choose low‑sodium, onion‑ and garlic‑free formulations (or make homemade broth), since commercial broths may contain excessive salt, seasonings or additives that are unsafe or unsuitable for dogs and cats.
02
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
03
Chicken Liver
Chicken liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in pet foods and treats as a highly palatable protein source and flavor enhancer, providing concentrated vitamins (especially vitamin A and B-complex), iron, and copper that support energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and skin/coat health in both dogs and cats. Because it is so rich, liver should be fed in moderation—excessive intake can cause vitamin A toxicity, and its high fat content and risk of bacterial contamination mean it should be properly sourced or cooked and limited for pets with pancreatitis or specific dietary restrictions.
04
Egg
Eggs are used in pet foods as a highly digestible, complete animal protein and nutrient source—providing essential amino acids, bioavailable vitamins (A, D, E, B-complex including B12), minerals like selenium and iron, choline and healthy fats—while also improving palatability and texture. They support muscle maintenance, skin/coat and cognitive health in dogs and cats, but raw eggs can carry bacterial risk and contain avidin in whites that may reduce biotin with long-term feeding; some pets may also have egg allergies or require portion control for calorie management.
05
Pea
Pea is a plant-based ingredient used in pet foods as a source of protein, soluble and insoluble fiber, and micronutrients (often included as whole peas, pea flour, or pea protein concentrate) to boost protein content and improve texture. While peas can provide digestible carbohydrates, fiber, and some plant protein useful especially for dogs, they are not a complete protein for obligate carnivores like cats and — when overused, particularly in concentrated forms or as a major component of grain‑free diets — have been scrutinized for a possible association with canine dilated cardiomyopathy and can contribute to nutrient imbalances or excess calories, so balanced formulation and compliance with AAFCO nutritional profiles are important.

Nutritional Breakdown

How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
8.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
2.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
1.50%
Low High
Moisture (max)
82.00%
Low High
855
kcal / Kg
73
kcal / 3 oz pouch
Low
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Chunks In Gravy
Food type Topper

Brand

Instinct

Instinct is Nature’s Variety’s flagship brand dedicated to raw and minimally processed pet nutrition. It positions itself in the premium and super-premium segment, focusing on high-protein, grain-free, and raw-inspired diets. Instinct offers frozen raw, freeze-dried raw, kibble with raw coatings, and canned foods aimed at health-conscious pet owners who value a biologically appropriate diet.

Visit Instinct
Price tier $$$$$

Manufacturer

Company name Nature's Variety
Parent company Agrolimen S.A.
Founded 2002
Headquarters St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Manufacturing type In House
Manufacturing country United States
Manufacturing region Nebraska
Manufacturing oversight

Nature's Variety manages manufacturing quality and safety in accordance with FDA and AAFCO guidelines. Their manufacturing facilities adhere to stringent quality control protocols and HACCP food safety programs to ensure the integrity of their frozen and freeze-dried raw products.

Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.

Recall History

No recalls on record

Instinct Healthy Cravings Real Chicken Recipe Topper has no recalls since 2014.

Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily

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7.6 /10 Grade B
Healthy Cravings Real Chicken Recipe Topper
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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Instinct ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Instinct. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.

How does KibbleLab rate foods?

Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.

Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?

No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.

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KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.

Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.